Exotic Care - African Pygmy Hedgehog
Description
African pigmy hedgehogs are small animals that have spines all over their body. Unlike porcupines their spikes do not distach from their body. Tame hedgehogs are easy to handle as they keep their spikes down.
Cage / Habitat
Hedgehogs do not cilmb and need a lot of floor space. It is recommended to have at least 4 square feet for them; however, they can be kept in a slightly smaller enclosure. Do not go too small as they are very active at night and need space to run around. Be sure to give them a wheel as most hedgehogs will run for hours during the night. Get a safe wheel that is solid plastic or a small wire mesh wheel.
Nutrition / Diet
Hedgehogs are omnivores that mostly eat insects, rodents, and fruit in the wild. There are many hedgehog foods on the market, I recommend you purchase 2 or 3 types, and give your hedgehogs a mix of the foods. Dry food should be always available, they will eat as they need food. Fruits and veggies should also be given often. Plain grilled chicken, low fat beef, eggs, steam veggies, and other healthy 'human' foods can be fed as treats. Live foods such as crickets, other insects, and pinky mice should be fed sparingly(once or twice a week). Hedgehogs are very water dependant; make sure they have a clean water source at all times.
Hygiene
Hedgehogs are pretty clean animals and they groom themselves often. Sometimes you will need to clean their feet or back as they have trouble reaching everywhere. Their nails will need to be trimmed when they become to long also. Hedgehogs have very little odor(as long as you keep their cage clean). Your hedgehog cage should be cleaned at least once a week, more if necessary.
